This very lovely walk takes us on majestic drives bordered by exotic trees, rhododrendons, azaleas and grassy lawns, along lakes and through woods.
At the very beginning of the walk, our friends gathered around a big black insect, thinking it was a scorpion. Margaret, thanks for the super photograph. Well ladies, this animal was just acting like a scorpion. In fact, it is from the family of the Rove beetles, and is called a devil's coach-horse beetle (Ocypus Olens). Wikipeda states: It is well known for its habit of raising its long and uncovered abdomen and opening its jaws, rather like a scorpion when threatened. This explains one of its alternative names, the cock-tail beetle. Although it has no 'sting in its tail' it can give a painful bite with its strong pincer-like jaws. It also emits a foul smelling odour, as a defensive secretion, from a pair of white glands at the end of its abdomen. In the scientific name olens means smelling and describes this secretion.
Ernest-John Solvay, the owner of the chateau, apparently had the obelisk built so that the golden sun on the top would reflect the rays of the rising sun towards his new bedroom.
On our way we were delighted to come upon an outdoor sculpture exhibition of the works of Pol Bury.
Many of the sculptures had a water scheme, like this one:
And of course Horta was present too.
The easy walkers were at the rendez-vous at l'Homme Bleu.
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